Expect to see a differant Halliday this season. He's decided to 86 his cutter this season and throw his sinker more often to reduce the wear and tear on his arm. Disappointing since it is without a doubt the best cutter in baseball. I predict he sticks with this for almost a full week.

Looking good: The quiet crack of a bat breaking is usually a good indicator of how well a pitcher is throwing. On Thursday, multiple pieces of lumber snapped after connecting feebly with pitches from Toronto hurlers Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett and B.J. Ryan.

Halladay's first live session against hitters allowed him to test a new approach. Instead of throwing as many cut fastballs -- the pitch that helped lead to a right forearm strain a year ago -- Halladay plans on integrating more sinkers into his outings.

"I don't know if he threw a ball more than an inch or two off the corner all day. He was dynamite," Zaun said. "Obviously, him and [pitching coach Brad Arnsberg] have decided to make a few adjustments with the types of pitches that he's throwing. He seems to have already mastered it."

Pitching is actually very questionable. Haladay and AJ are a good start. Chacin is still a big question mark right now. Tomo Okha has been named the #4. Seriously, Good Ol' JP Retardi thought it was a good idea to pay Ohka to pitch. I'd pay him to pitch for the opposing team if it was an option. I am not looking forward to seeing what the Yankees and Redsox do to him. #5 will probably go to John Thomson or Shaun Marcum, personally I think it is Dustin McGowan time but he struggled in the bigs last year and it has been determined he needs another year in AAA. Either way that is far from a dominating staff.

The Toronto Globe and Mail reports that Blue Jays pitcher John Thomson, who is scheduled to pitch on Thursday in a relief appearance, has been told he will not make the rotation. He is expected to be traded or released. It looks like Victor Zambrano (1.98 ERA) or Josh Towers (3.20 ERA) will claim the final spot in the club's rotation.
(Updated 03/28/2007).

Josh Towers was given an ultimatum by the Jays today. He was given the #5 pitcher spot and told that if he doesn't show them that he is deserving of it this time he will be released. Not demoted, not traded, just released in to waivers.

It was a monster too, before the game there was an interview with Thomas where he said fans shouldn't expect too much from him until he's had 100 at bat's because it takes him that long to get warmed up and really starts showing power. Then in his first at bat he crushes one for a grand slam.